Life Coaching - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Life Coaching?

There is no single, universal definition of Life Coaching. Wikipedia’s definition is rather lengthy but with an opening sentence that, for me, puts it succinctly:“Life coaching is a future-focused practice with the aim of helping clients determine and achieve personal goals.” Wikipedia, November 2009

OK – so we have a definition but I’m still not sure what life coaching is!

Life coaching is a positiveprocess involving a series of one-to-one coaching sessions (discussions) between the coach and client.

The process starts with the client wanting more from life, usually in one or more of the following areas:

Work/life balance

Family

Relationships

Career

Health and fitness

Wealth

Personal Growth

Contribution

“The top three issues in which clients seek help are time management, career and business.” Wikipedia, November 2009
Essentially, life coaching involves working with the client to identify his or her goals in life and coaching the client along the journey towards these goals.

The most effective and lasting approach to coaching is where the client moves towards his or her goals from a state of happiness and wellbeing. This ‘transformational’ approach is the philosophy at Higher Ground.

Do the goals have to be big/small, short-term/long-term?

The client is at the heart of life coaching and any goal that’s important to the client is respected by the coach.

What if I don’t know what my goal is in the first place?

Often, the client is unsure about exactly what he or she wants (the goal) and yet knows that something has to change. In this scenario, the first few sessions usually involve exploring the client’s intrinsic self-beliefs and values and identifying what inspires him or her. Generally, goals emerge as part of this process of exploration.

The role of the coach is to use effective questioning and coaching techniques to open the client’s heart and mind to what they really want from life.

I do have a dream of a life that I’d love to lead but I don’t know how to get there. How can a life coach support me?

Your coach will work with you to explore what’s preventing you from taking steps to make your dream a reality. This could involve identifying any negative self-beliefs that are holding you back and building your self-confidence.

You will agree clear steps, often small ones, to get you into the flow and will find that once you are on the journey towards changing your life, more and more positive experiences will happen!

I’m generally satisfied and happy with life but I’m struggling to fit in a project/course. How can coaching benefit me?

Your coach will work with you to examine how you are spending your 168 hours in your week, where your priorities are and where in your life you could make changes.

You will agree an action plan to free up time for your project and your coach will encourage you along the way.

How many coaching sessions would I need?

This depends on what you want to achieve.

Typically, between three and six sessions are required. As a rule, the client needs the space to explore and develop his/her attitudes, values and beliefs while identifying and moving towards the life changes.

Is coaching the same as therapy?

Absolutely not! Coaching does not deal with psychological illness and, whilst it can sometimes be useful to look back into a client’s past, the main focus is on present-to-future.

Why should I choose coaching with Higher Ground?

The clue is in the name of my practice! For me, a client is living on higher ground when he/she is:

Enjoying a balanced life

Inspired

Enjoying the journey towards the goal without waiting for the goal to make them happy